Question

Write the characteristics and some important uses of coal.

Answer 1

Coal is an exhaustible natural resource which is combustible brownish black rock which mainly contains carbon with other elements like Hydrogen, Sulphur, Nitrogen and Oxygen

Complete step by step answer:
Natural resources are basically divided into Exhaustible and Inexhaustible natural resources
The resources which are available in unlimited quantity is called as inexhaustible natural resources and the resources that are available in limited quantity and which can be exhausted by human activities is called as exhaustible natural resources and coal is an example for exhaustible natural resource
Characteristics of Coal
$\left( {\text{i}} \right)$ Coal is a source of energy and it is hard as stone
$\left( {{\text{ii}}} \right)$ Coal is a fossil fuel
$\left( {{\text{iii}}} \right)$ It is a combustible fuel
$\left( {{\text{iv}}} \right)$ Coal is brittle in nature and has a dark black colour
$\left( {\text{v}} \right)$ Coal has a very low moisture content and the volatile matter content varies from high to medium and the heating value is also high
Uses of Coal
$\left( {\text{i}} \right)$ Coal is used to produce steam in railway engines
$\left( {{\text{ii}}} \right)$ Coal is used to produce electricity in thermal power plants
$\left( {{\text{iii}}} \right)$ Coal is used to cook food
$\left( {{\text{iv}}} \right)$ Coal is also used as fuel in industries

Additional information:
Formation of coal takes millions of years and it is considered as a fossil fuel. A fossil fuel is something that is formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. The dead plants and animals in past decades started moving into the lower layers of earth and because of the high temperature and high pressure they got converted into coal i.e., slow process of conversion of dead vegetation into coal is called as carbonization and this process is time consuming and thus coal is considered as exhaustible natural resource.

Note: The other substances obtained along with coal are coke and coal tar. Coke is used in extraction of metal and in manufacture of steel and coal tar is thick black liquid with an unpleasant odour containing organic chemicals like Naphthalene, Benzene, Aniline, Phenols etc and it is used in making dyes, perfumes etc.